ABE Cycle Sales / Rip off in San Antonio

On 23 March 2006, I purchased two Avon tires from ABE Cycles that Abe indicated were new tires. As it turns out, it seems that Abe has a very large supply of tires that appear to have been stored in the dank and dark for an unknown amount of time and are not as new as Abe would like you to believe.

The tires were cleaned up and actually looked acceptable at the time of purchase and I was not aware of the true condition of the tires. Within 30 days, dry-rot had sat in and within 60 days the front tire was as in bad condition as the tire it had replaced. During this time, I contacted ABE Cycles who refused to work with me on the issue. Abe even went so far as to tell me to keep driving on the tires and not worry about it and claimed the dry-rotten tires were 'safe'.

Hoping to make the situation right, I filed a report with the Better Business Bureau. Initially, ABE Cycles refused to respond, but when they finally did, Abe appeared to attempt to mislead the BBB and claimed he did not know me and had no record of this transaction! Fortunately, I do have a record of the transaction, given to me personally from Abe.

Initially, I thought this may be an isolated incident and that any honest business would be concerned about selling faulty tires to the general public, however, after the apparent subterfuge from ABE Cycles regarding their sale of these tires, It seems that this is more than that. I have since filed a case with the Texas State Attorney General along with my proof of purchase of these tires, in the hopes that others' lives may be saved. I admit that when I begun this long journey to replace the faulty tires, I was concerned for my own safety and simply wanted an exchange or refund for the faulty tires, but now I have far greater concerns.

If another Motorcyclist were to die as a result of faulty tires purchased from ABE Cycles while I sat back and said nothing I could never forgive myself. Any reputable business would make things right if faulty tires were being sold from their business or at the very least, look into the matter. ABE Cycles failed to do any of this and on one occasion went so far as to tell me that he does not care if he loses business or not. 'I have enough customers'. Since the time that I initiated my complaint with the BBB, the front tire has deteriorated even more with dry-rot completely through the side-walls, making the bike inoperable until the tire is replaced. I found out too late that Abe is well known (or infamous, actually) in the San Antonio area. I advise anyone in the San Antonio area who is seeking motorcycle repair or parts to simply mention the name of 'ABE Cycles' to any of the reputable cycle repair shops, and you will hear about others' horror stories. I wish I had done this before my purchase. To all my brothers out there, ride smart and ride safe.

Comments

On 23 March 2006, I purchased two Avon tires from ABE Cycles that Abe indicated were new tires. As it turns out, it seems that Abe has a very large supply of tires that appear to have been stored in the dank and dark for an unknown amount of time and are not as new as Abe would like you to believe.

The tires were cleaned up and actually looked acceptable at the time of purchase and I was not aware of the true condition of the tires. Within 30 days, dry-rot had sat in and within 60 days the front tire was as in bad condition as the tire it had replaced. During this time, I contacted ABE Cycles who refused to work with me on the issue. Abe even went so far as to tell me to keep driving on the tires and not worry about it and claimed the dry-rotten tires were 'safe'.

Hoping to make the situation right, I filed a report with the Better Business Bureau. Initially, ABE Cycles refused to respond, but when they finally did, Abe appeared to attempt to mislead the BBB and claimed he did not know me and had no record of this transaction! Fortunately, I do have a record of the transaction, given to me personally from Abe.

Initially, I thought this may be an isolated incident and that any honest business would be concerned about selling faulty tires to the general public, however, after the apparent subterfuge from ABE Cycles regarding their sale of these tires, It seems that this is more than that. I have since filed a case with the Texas State Attorney General along with my proof of purchase of these tires, in the hopes that others' lives may be saved. I admit that when I begun this long journey to replace the faulty tires, I was concerned for my own safety and simply wanted an exchange or refund for the faulty tires, but now I have far greater concerns.

If another Motorcyclist were to die as a result of faulty tires purchased from ABE Cycles while I sat back and said nothing I could never forgive myself. Any reputable business would make things right if faulty tires were being sold from their business or at the very least, look into the matter. ABE Cycles failed to do any of this and on one occasion went so far as to tell me that he does not care if he loses business or not. 'I have enough customers'. Since the time that I initiated my complaint with the BBB, the front tire has deteriorated even more with dry-rot completely through the side-walls, making the bike inoperable until the tire is replaced. I found out too late that Abe is well known (or infamous, actually) in the San Antonio area. I advise anyone in the San Antonio area who is seeking motorcycle repair or parts to simply mention the name of 'ABE Cycles' to any of the reputable cycle repair shops, and you will hear about others' horror stories. I wish I had done this before my purchase. To all my brothers out there, ride smart and ride safe.